The way that humans relate to angels and archangels, is in dire need of an update. Today, I would like to discuss archangel Raphael, the archangel of healing. We have a deity whose superpower is supernatural healing and rejuvenation, and we associate him with a picture in our minds of a very meek figure, rather frail, not fearsome at all.

Exhibit A: This oil-on- canvas painting by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo.

Raphael is certainly not depicted here as a fierce warrior being. But I believe that this is a mistake. A supernatural being who is able to slay disease, death, ageing, and mortality itself; must be a ferocious creature of warfare. To battle the core of man's mortality, and to overcome that core, requires one to be a fearsome warrior. I relate archangel Raphael to a very fearsome creature of power and dominance. A skilled warrior.

Exhibit B: This work of art by Carlos Quevedo

Now this is more like it. Although, I don't know about the blonde, flowing hair... but this is more like it.

Archangel Raphael is the warrior of healing in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Of course, many forms of himself can be found transliterated amongst other religious traditions, yet embodied by various names.

Now, with Michael we don't encounter the same problem, since being the archangel of war, he is naturally depicted as fearsome and powerful.

Exhibit C: This 16'th century painting by Guido Rhenus
il Guido

Michael, as we can plainly see, has always been depicted as the warring one. Rightly so, but, this is still not to say that the deity of war is the only one who deserves being depicted as such.

I believe that the way in which we perceive the supernatural beings whom we trust in, has an immense effect upon our ability to be receptive of their roles in our lives. And I think it's about time that we see Raphael as the fearsome and beautiful being that he really is. Afterall, he is the only archangel whose name directly corresponds to a Hebrew name of God (Jehovah Rapha, God my Healer).

Have you enjoyed this discussion about angels? Would you like to see more of this type of conversation from me? Just let me know, and have a wonderful day, wonderfuls!

I have been wondering about hope, the nature of hope, the effects of hope... even the usefulness of it (or lack thereof). I've been holding back from talking about my observations of hope, because I know how controversial these observations will be. But today, I think I'm ready to discuss this.
I am convinced that hope is the most hazardous virtue in existence. Hope is the imaginary wind that lifts you up into the sky; the problem is that it's an imaginary wind. We are always told (and truly, we have all grown up hearing) "never give up hope." We have all come to grab ahold of this saying with a grip of death, and when we are able to hold onto hope, we take pride in the fact like it is a great accomplishment on our end. But in my life, I have come to relate hope to an imaginary sunrise; one that doesn't actually take place. You stand there and you wait for the Sun to rise in the horizon, but then it never actually does.
Hope is the cause of pain, on a rudimentary level. If hope did not exist, I don't think that the deeper levels of pain would exist, either. And really, if something good is going to happen, then it's going to happen. It's not going to happen because you hoped it into existence. Just how many things DO happen, which you never hoped to happen? Did they happen because you hoped for them? Nope! Then what makes people think that the opposite would be true? Why should things happen as a result of hope?
Nothing is actually affected by hope. Hope is a placebo tablet. It's not a medicine. It is a placebo. You think something is happening, but in reality, what's happening is just all placebo effect going on in your mind.
If hope did not exist, then the non-materialisation of things hoped for could not ever cause anyone any pain. Life would not actually consist of disappointments; rather, life would consist of just that: life! Golden life in and of itself! Bad stuff just happens. And nobody can know when! But good stuff happens too; and nobody knows when, either!
Life consists more of chance than of method. And more of unobservable quantum activity than of well-calculated patterns. Therefore, hope really does not have a place in the equation of reality. Because hope is treated as a constant: "have hope and all will be well." In reality, usually when you have hope in or for anything, what you're doing is drugging your mind into thinking that you're going to be okay, when in fact you're not going to be okay. Then what is supposed to make you feel good when everything hurts? , you're probably thinking. I think that the answer should not be "hope." Belief in better things-- yes. Sheer willpower-- yes. Trust-- yes. But sheer hope?? Sheer hope is for the dying. Sheer hope is the tablet given to the dying, by which the last blows of death become tainted with tolerability!
Such strong thoughts and words on the nature of hope; startling and controversial. Nevertheless, these are the observations I have made while on this journey, on this planet. I hope (hahahaha) that my words will lead you to question and to think, on your own. And before dismissing this piece as utter blasphemy, please first consider the points I have raised.
Does this all mean that I believe in living a joyless life? Of course not! I believe in Awe, in Faith, in Joyfulness, in Trust and in Charity. But hope? I have issues with hope.

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"I am a flawed person. A brook with many stones, a clear blue sky with many blackbirds. I have many shortcomings. A rainbow that’s not long enough, a starry night with clouds. But I can only be thankful to the God who loves me just this way, and I can only be grateful to the people in my life who accept the clear blue sky with many blackbirds and who are patient with the rainbow that isn’t long enough. And because of this, I am taught love, because of this I love my God, and I love these people."— C. JoyBell C.

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This blog is not an online diary. Anything reflected through my writings here, do not necessarily mirror my present emotional, mental, or physical state, unless directly stated. Furthermore, any resemblances to you or to anyone you know, is purely coincidental and is not a result of me creating any "blind items" about you or your loved ones and friends. Moreover, your reading of my writings does not constitute a marriage, personal relationship, or personal friendship, between us.